Written by Jane Anderson and Elizabeth Strout (and based on the latter's Pulitzer prize-winning novel) for HBO, enormously engaging four hour, four part film charts story of teacher Frances McDormand (who's as good as ever), husband Richard Jenkins and son John Gallagher (and Devin Druid) through various layers of makeup. Also with Peter Mullan, Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks), Jesse Plemons.
Has a wonderful way with it, and doesn't always go where expected, e.g. whole episode involving suicidal hallucinating man (who you think is going to end up with the waitress he's saved, but in fact just disappears from the storyline) and the way Bill Murray is casually introduced and then doesn't turn up until a significant role much later on. That we see McDormand's character gradually soften (a bit) is I think partly the effect of her saintly husband who just really is so nice.
Scored in the recognisable tones of Carter Burwell. Shot by Frederick Elmes (Blue Velvet).
Our favourite moment though is when a peeled apple core turns into a snake..
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